TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Getting There

There are very few direct flights into Zanzibar – just a few charter carriers from Italy and the UK – which tend not to sell seat-only. So you’ll probably fly via Kenya or mainland Tanzania, which is no bad thing, especially if you’re intending to do a safari there as well.

Getting Around

BY BOAT: Crossings daily between Stone Town (Zanzibar) and Dar. There is a slow ferry from Stone Town (Zanzibar) to Mkoani (Pemba) Hotels situated on private islands or road-free coastline, such as Chapwani, Chumbe and Fundu Lagoon all have their own private speedboat or dhow to collect you from the road-head or your previous hotel. Bear in mind that you may need to get your feet and legs wet, and low tides may mean walking a short way over the tidal flats.

ROAD TRANSPORT: Most visitors use taxis to get around the island. All our hotels can arrange transfers, or you can make independent arrangements - this may work out cheaper, especially if there are several journeys involved. You can also brave a dala dala (crowded bus or lorry) which follow set routes and cost a fraction of the price of a taxi.

HIRE CARS are less popular, because of the bumpy roads, bad signposting and short distances involved, or see our car rental recommendations and ask for a 4x4.